The Perlen (Pearls) Queer Film Festival Hannover is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. As part of the anniversary celebrations I have been invited to speak at the opening of the 20th edition, 17 October 2016, and give a brief overview of the history of queer film festivals and queer cinema in Germany and internationally. Looking forward to be part of the celebrations for this member of QueerScope, the network of independent German queer film festivals.